MK82-EP- Air Force ammunition in France and Germany

The modern MK82-EP air force ammunition from Rheinmetall has achieved two major distribution successes in France and Germany. The French procurement authority Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) commissioned the first series productions of the MK82-EP, which are intended for the Mirage 2000 and Rafale combat aircraft. Furthermore, the German Air Force has selected Rheinmetall MK82-EP as a new component of the Guided Bomb Unit GBU54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) for the Tornado and Eurofighter. Both orders total more than 2,000 bomb bodies worth over 35 million euros.

In October 2020, the French DGA qualified the new 250 kg bomb body MK82-EP (Enhanced Performance). Preceding this were a five-year development program and extensive testing by the subsidiary RWM Italia SpA, Rheinmetall's center of excellence for air force ammunition, involving the explosive manufacturer Eurenco. The 250 kg bomb body MK82-EP has been developed for maximum safety during storage, handling, and use. It is an improved, completely interchangeable variant of the standard MK82 model and is characterized by enhanced effectiveness.

The MK82-EP can be used as unguided ammunition, but also as guided ammunition with Paveway, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM), or Armament Air-Sol Modulaire (ASM) kits.

In the Guided Bomb Unit GBU54 project of the Air Force, Diehl Defence acts as the main contractor. In addition to Rheinmetall, Boeing is also involved for the guidance system and Junghans Microtec for the fuse. Diehl has recently been awarded the contract for the delivery of several hundred of these systems. Delivery is expected to begin in 2021 and be completed by 2024.

Thanks to the successes in France and Germany, the MK82-EP continues to be considered a likely armament for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the future combat aircraft developed by both nations. The MK82-EP air force ammunition is also seen as the new standard for all users of the Mirage 2000, Rafale, and Eurofighter combat aircraft.

RHEINMETALL on the Internet: www.rheinmetall-defence.com